For the next steps, he needed to release controlled pulses, breaking the mana flow into bursts that sent smaller, timed pulses.
This allowed him to create multiple echoes from a single motion. Each pulse had to be precisely timed with each swing, so each echo matched the original strike.
This stage emphasized timing, as Atticus had to carefully control how much mana he released and when. He progressed quickly, creating echoes that had 10% of the original strike's power, and soon moved on to the next phase.
With the echo formation under control, Atticus moved on to amplifying each echo's force.
This step was more complex. Atticus had to split his focus, holding mana in his weapon to amplify the force of each echo.
He simultaneously channeled pulses and created a small energy reserve within his weapon, which he could release as a powerful shockwave at the end.
The energy reserve was for a final, impactful wave after multiple strikes. It took some practice, but Atticus managed to do it successfully.
His ability to improve during battle helped him immensely here as he trained the art while battling with Magnus. Atticus then moved on to layering the pulses, which was important for increasing his proficiency with the art.
Here, he concentrated more mana into each echo, fine tuning each layer to control its direction and strength.
Inside the advanced training room, two streaks of blue clashed in a symphony of supersonic booms.
Countless azure slashes filled the space as Atticus and Magnus sparred.
Magnus's aura was calm, his gaze steady as he parried the oncoming azure slashes with ease.
Even as his form blurred with speed, Magnus's sharp gaze remained fixed on Atticus, assessing each move.
In one instant, Atticus released a powerful downward swing, and in the next, they multiplied into numerous slashes, each carrying a fraction of the original force.
Magnus, though he looked calm, was very impressed. He knew his grandson's capabilities, but witnessing them firsthand was always something else.
A paragon ranked art like this one had a steep learning curve, typically requiring months, if not years, to master. For Atticus to reach this level within a week was astounding.
But that wasn't all. Atticus's rate of improvement was remarkable, and his battle sense was razor sharp. As the battle bagan, Atticus entered a state of absolute focus, with every action and move feeling deliberate and intentional.
As they fought, Magnus noticed something surprising: Atticus had no clear openings in his movements. Any gap Magnus saw was merely a bait.
This didn't mean Magnus couldn't land an attack, but if they had been on equal footing, with the same strength, it was likely he wouldn't have been able to touch Atticus.
These observations thrilled Magnus, and as the fight raged on, he called out,
"That's enough."
Atticus's descending sword stopped mid-air, and he looked at Magnus, slightly confused.
"You look exhausted. It's time to rest. We'll continue later."
Though reluctant, Atticus knew there was no changing Magnus's mind.
"Alright," he said with a nod.
"Go rest in your room…"
As Atticus was about to lean against a wall to relax, he paused at Magnus's words, awkwardly clearing his throat.
Every time Magnus had instructed him to rest, he would usually just relax on the spot in the advanced training room. But, facing Magnus's firm gaze, he sighed, walking out of the training room.
Atticus hadn't had a bath in a week, and the intense training had left his clothes drenched in sweat, clinging to his frame and highlighting his muscular physique.
He was far from clean, sweaty and oily, but as he stepped outside, the crowd of waiting ladies turned their gaze upon him, and it seemed as though half of them short-circuited at the sight.
The murmuring crowd fell silent, each of them staring in a brief, stunned moment. Then, suddenly:
"Apex Atticus, how was your training? I brought you something to drink!" one of the ladies called out, pressing herself eagerly against the gate.
Another quickly jumped in, holding out a neatly wrapped cloth. "Apex Atticus! I made this fabric just for you to keep cool during training! It's only found in Sector 9!"
"Apex Atticus, don't waste your time with her fabric," came another voice, this time from a girl with a haughty expression. "My family is a Tier 2, and our resources are superior. I've brought a special salve that soothes muscles and boosts recovery. There's nothing better!"
Her statement earned a sharp glare from another young woman, and soon the crowd erupted, voices overlapping as each one tried to capture his attention.
Yesmin shot her guard a look. "Go get me something!"
She hadn't thought to bring a gift, and was now regretting it deeply. As her guard hurried off, Yesmin turned back to the gate, only to see it nearly swallowed by an army of ladies pressing forward, leaving not a single space open.
Her mana churned as she launched herself upward, hoping to catch sight of him. But her eyes widened in surprise. The one they had all been waiting for had vanished without a trace.
…
A cloak of darkness unraveled as Atticus reappeared in front of his room.
"That was crazy," he muttered to himself.
The army of ladies outside the advanced training room had taken him completely by surprise. From their eager eyes, he instantly knew he had to make an escape.
'Thank goodness they can't enter the Ravenstein main mansion,' he thought.
After a quick bath, he collapsed on his bed and slept for a few hours.
Around mid afternoon, Atticus woke up, stretched, and prepared to head outside. Just as he was about to leave the mansion, he suddenly remembered the crowd of ladies.
Quickly, he cloaked himself in darkness.
When he reached the advanced training room, he saw that although the crowd had thinned, some ladies were still waiting by the gates.
'How persistent,'
Ignoring them, he entered the training room and resumed his intense training with Magnus.
After another day of training, Avalon and Anastasia visited the training room to share some good news: the rewards from his victory in the Verietega Nexus had finally arrived.